California Educational Attainment and Per Gender for Ages 25 years and Above in 2021 (ACS-5Yrs)

Updated on August 19, 2025.

Based on the US Census ACS-5Yrs estimates, in 2021, among the 26,797,070 California population aged 25 years and above, 4.24M of them (15.81%) had an education level of Less than High School Diploma; and 5.48M of them (20.44%) had an education level of High School Graduate or Equivalent.

The first chart and table below shows the population and percentages of the California population aged 25 years and above by educational attainment.

You can find the educational attainment information about the California male and female population below.

You can see similar information for other states and for the United States.

Percentage of California Population 25 years and above By Educational Attainment in 2021
Less HS Dipl.
HS Grad. or Equiv.
Some Coll. or AA
Bachelors+
Educational Attainment For California Population Aged 25 years and above in 2021
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Educational Level Population Percent (%)
Less than High School Diploma 4236035 15.81
High School Graduate or Equivalent 5477154 20.44
Some College or Associates Degree 7632443 28.48
Bachelors or Higher 9451438 35.27

Male Population

Among the 13,229,666 California male population aged 25 years and above, 2.14M of them (16.16%) had an education level of Less than High School Diploma; and 2.83M of them (21.36%) had an education level of High School Graduate or Equivalent.

The chart and table below shows the population and percentages of the California male population aged 25 years and above by educational attainment.

Percentage of California Male Population 25 years and above By Educational Attainment in 2021
Less HS Dipl.
HS Grad. or Equiv.
Some Coll. or AA
Bachelors+
Educational Attainment For California Male Pop. Aged 25 years and above in 2021
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Educational Level Population Percent (%)
Less than High School Diploma 2137364 16.16
High School Graduate or Equivalent 2825211 21.36
Some College or Associates Degree 3670091 27.74
Bachelors or Higher 4597000 34.75

Female Population

Among the 13,567,404 California female population aged 25 years and above, 2.10M of them (15.47%) had an education level of Less than High School Diploma; and 2.65M of them (19.55%) had an education level of High School Graduate or Equivalent.

The chart and table below shows the population and percentages of the California female population aged 25 years and above by educational attainment.

Percentage of California Female Population 25 years and above By Educational Attainment in 2021
Less HS Dipl.
HS Grad. or Equiv.
Some Coll. or AA
Bachelors+
Educational Attainment For California Female Pop. Aged 25 years and above in 2021
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Educational Level Population Percent (%)
Less than High School Diploma 2098671 15.47
High School Graduate or Equivalent 2651943 19.55
Some College or Associates Degree 3962352 29.21
Bachelors or Higher 4854438 35.78